Deviant Games (The Controllers #8) - L.V. Lane

GLOSSARY

CONTROLLER: THE EMPIRE uses Alpha soldiers to train and control Omega Dynamics when they are needed to join the war.

Copper virus: DNA altering virus. The virus may enhance characteristics already present in an infected individual.

Dynamic: If the Copper virus hosts, it changes the individual into a dynamic. There are twelve viral induced dynamics, Alpha through to Mu, and Omega. Each dynamic offers different physical and physiological benefits: intelligence, strength, memory, natural leaders or followers, or heightened skills such as mathematics or art.

Healer: Healers are a common Omega type who are able to heal physical and mental trauma through physical or psychic contact.

Singular: Singulars are rare Omegas with unique traits known as singularities. Predominantly psychic abilities, although other physical or physiological changes may occur.

Theta: Thetas are hyper-intelligent dynamics who are often driven toward the accumulation of wealth, prestige, or both.

Gamma: Gammas share many psychological characteristics with an Omega, but they do not experience heat, and are unaffected by pheromones.

Alphas: Alphas are aggressive and territorial. They experience a rut and can knot when in the presence of an Omega in heat. Many, but not all, retain a permanent knot after bonding.

Delta: Deltas are aggressive and territorial, like Alphas, but differ in certain physical and physiological characteristics. The most notable difference being that they have a hook instead of a knot. Unaffected by Omega heat, the hook is always present.

Empire: Governing council of the United Planet System

Non-dynamic: If the Copper virus does not host, the individual remains unaltered, also known as a non-dynamic.

Uncorrupted: A faction formed by those who fled the Empire during the first mass viral awakening. Many non-dynamics follow their cause and flee the Empire.

PROLOGUE

Lilly

“WHAT DO YOU think about this one?” Ryker waved his information tablet in Ethan’s direction. They lounged side by side on the couch, which impressed me given their attitude toward one another was playful exuberance on Ryker’s part and brooding tolerance on Ethan’s.

Unless I was sandwiched between them when they turned into pack animals lording over a prize.

I needed to cut that train of thought off.

Ethan had been on the couch first. Then Ryker had flopped down in the seat beside him in that I’m about to press some buttons kind of way.

I sat opposite—alone because I was supposed to be working on some research, which I had claimed was important.

Distracted from my work, I caught only a glimpse of a strange assembly on the data tablet. Not that I needed an additional distraction. They were stunning Alphas, both in appearance and deed.

Ethan epitomized everything an Alpha should be. Darkness and menace; there was no obstacle that he would not overcome to protect me. He defined the word dominant; it was pervasive to his very core. At times, I loved being the subject of his intense control. At others, I hated how far he dragged me from my comfort zone—I barely recognized myself or my reactions.

Ryker was his polar opposite in many ways, playful and deviant, where Ethan was serious and straight to the point. Ryker loved to coax and manipulate my submission, even though it was already his. He took perverse pleasure in making me squirm and gasp in shock when he did something inappropriate—usually somewhere inappropriate.

They were dressed casually, having returned from a training session—sweatpants and T-shirts that clung lovingly to their hard, built bodies. Ethan, dark of hair and eyes, was my fallen angel warrior. Ryker, despite his nightmarish tattoos, was oh so pretty. It wasn’t fair to give an Alpha such lush, long eyelashes.

An Omega could be forgiven for being overwhelmed by one of them. Two of them were more than I could handle, but they were mine and I would gladly die a sinful death to keep them in my life.

I continued to eye them covertly while pretending interest in my data. Ethan rubbed his jaw and frowned, then took the tablet from Ryker. He pinched and swiped the screen. “Not sure. What’s that part for?”

Ryker grinned and leaned over to tap the screen.

Their heads were close together, shoulders touching, big, capable hands holding the data tablet—I swallowed. I wanted to crawl over and insinuate myself between them.

Ethan puffed out a breath and shook his head. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

What the hell were they looking at? My eyes played ping-pong between my research and whatever they were discussing.

“We should let Lilly decide. She might appreciate the extra stimulation.” Ryker winked at me.

I faked sudden avid interest in my research data that might as well have been in another language for